Skipper steps it up

Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs) Football Club is located in North London. The club is also known as Spurs. Tottenham's home ground is White Hart Lane. The club motto is Audere est Facere (To dare is to do).

Jamie Redknapp stepped up a gear on his return from a lengthy knee injury by completing 90 minutes for the reserves against Southampton — with a goal thrown in for good measure.

The club captain is now four games into his comeback quest having featured in the second-string encounters against Fulham, Chelsea, Watford and last night’s 3-1 win over the Saints at Stevenage.

It’s two goals in two games for the midfielder now - Jamie also netted in the 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road last week - but, while happy with his goals output, the most important factor for the 30-year-old was the completion of a full game.

“It’s not too bad!” he laughed of his two in two goals ratio. “I played 90 minutes and that means more to me than the goal - or even the performance - and that is the most important thing for me.

“The knee felt good and that is a massive bonus for me. In the other games I’ve felt okay but not as good as I felt here - so I am really pleased with that.”

While reserve team games are not always viewed with relish by seasoned first team professionals, Jamie insists that after a prolonged absence they are an essential opportunity to put some fuel back in the tank.

“It is tough. Some players say they find it hard to get themselves up for it but you have to do it to get fit, there are no two ways about it. If you went straight into the first team you would struggle - the Premiership is very unforgiving.

“You can’t go out there when you are not fit or sharp enough so, in that respect, reserve games get your lungs going and get you working for 90 minutes.”